Standardization of core data for practice annual reports: a pilot study.

To investigate the feasibility of a standardized practice annual report, nine general medical practices in Grampian region collected data over a four month trial period. The definitions for core data used were arrived at after considerable consultation and discussion. They were found to be workable indicators of practice activity enabling comparisons to be made between practices. Three practices reported that they were completing forms more accurately and that this had led to increased item of service income. The results from this study show smaller variations than have been previously reported and there is a case to be made for the pooling and collation of such defined core data. Analysis of this practice activity would provide the stimulus for further research.